Memorial Day Weekend thoughts.

May 30, 2016

  As Memorial Day Weekend is ending, I'm emotional for a few reasons. I got to spend time with my dad for the first time in 2016. The last time we were able to see each other was Christmastime. Since it was a longer weekend, he came by to check out a few courses here in Ohio. He didn't enjoy my favorite course in this area, but we'll find a better one next time.

Am I still a fun person?

May 23, 2016

  I'm sometimes fun at 24, but man was a blast my freshman year of college! Well, comparing to now that statement is true. This weekend I was sorta a fun person, though.

  What a weekend it was! I got to go to COSI for the first time. That makes me a real Ohio resident, right? My Big and I went Saturday early in the morning. There were a lot of kids, and the museum was having a special day of safety for visitors to learn about distracted driving, how to perform CPR, recognizing signs of a gas leak... all that good stuff. We went to almost each room that is a part of the general admission. I even got to ride a unicycle that hovered over the main floor! haha. Not really, but it kind of felt like the real thing.

Shonda Rhimes taught me it's okay to be me and to say Yes and No.

May 19, 2016

  Dear Shonda,

  GREAT book. love.love.love. Year of Yes made me realize things about myself that made me proud of who I am, which I didn't expect. Everyone needs a year of yes! I've already have been working on the Yes, and your book is giving me the positive push to continue through it, no matter how difficult. I appreciate your honesty and openness throughout the book, too.

A great reminder from Kevin Smith. Thank you, Kevin.

May 15, 2016

  Just when I thought I was done with the grieving process, I'm again distraught and saddened Alan is no longer physically with us. Thanks a lot, Kevin Smith. Kidding... but seriously.

  Browsing through YouTube trying to find David Spade's SNL audition, I stumbled upon I Am Chris Farley, a documentary about Chris' life. That led to watching the film then going through tribute videos for Chris, Phil Hartman, John Ritter, then, shit, Alan.

An ode to David Spade for 'Almost Interesting.'

May 10, 2016

  Dear David,

  You're an interesting person (no, I'm not just saying that) and so is Almost Interesting. I enjoyed learning more about your youth and the journey to where you are today. I didn't know a lot about your childhood, so thanks for opening up and sharing that part of your life.

  Right now, one of the things I can't get off my mind is your assistant. Are you kidding?! Did that seriously happen? I'm just flat out angry. Thank the goodness you were able to survive and get him help. And your maids stealing... holy shit. Isn't that what safes are for? Who am I kidding; you're not going to take this shit from me.

  Thank you for your honestly throughout the book. I don't think a lot of us realize those starting out on SNL write week after week and may not get a single sketch on air... for months! I know it's not as easy as it looks, but it sounds like hell mentally and emotionally. I'm glad you stuck it out and kept at it, or we may not have been able to enjoy the movies and TV shows you went on to do after SNL. Each time you brought up a sketch, I pictured the dress and mood of it and just laughed like the first time. My favorite group of sketches of you and the gang is the Gap series. So simple and so clever!

  One thing I bet a lot of readers, including myself at times, expected and wanted was a lot of stories about you and Chris, or just Chris. I appreciate that you didn't spend a lot of pages doing that. You're more than the "David and Chris" duo from the 90s. For the times you did speak about him, thank you. I'm sorta-kinda obsessed with dead actors, so I appreciate when you speak about your times with Chris. You didn't have to, but you did, so thank you.

  All in all, I want to say I'm happy I spent my time reading your book cover to cover, even the no-so-clean and inappropriate parts of the book.

  Buh byee (Sorry, I just had to),
  Amanda

A thank you series to authors. Up first: Martin Short

May 9, 2016

  It's almost halfway through 2016. HOLY COW. This has been a fast year so far, but I'm not complaining. I feel like I've been wise with my time for the most part. The reading slump is over at last. The current book I'm reading is Almost Interesting by David Spade, which sparked an idea. (By the way, his book IS interesting, so read it!)

  So, after I finish an autobiography or biography, I'm going to write a thank you letter to that person. Even if the person is no longer with us, I'm going to write something. Having the rather low, harsh and embarrassing moments of life on display isn't always easy to do. I appreciate the authors who choose to shed light on those moments, especially when I'm reading an autobiography or a biography of a person I admire or want to learn more about. It's those moments that make him or her more relate-able and, in some cases, more human. The icing on the cake: If the subject is somewhere out there active in the Internet, I hope he or she finds my lovely words and knows he or she has made an impact in my life. I'll try to keep it short, too, which will be difficult. Here we go!